Evelyn had been stuck in the saddle since the sun rose in the west and she was sore. The King offered to stop and allow her to stretch but she refused. The only time they stopped was to allow her to relieve herself in the dead, frozen brush, but then they were back on the road North. She was too stubborn to admit how stiff she had become. Her arse was numb of all feeling, pins and needles were shooting down her legs, her heels were covered in blisters, and she was sure she’d crack every bone in her body when she finally did dismount, her joints releasing pressure from her stiff position.

She was accustomed to riding. She actually considered herself a decent horsewoman, with countless hours in the saddle but riding more than twelve hours in a day, non stop through freezing terrain and icy slopes, was more than her body was used to.

Exhaustion was beginning to settle deep in her bones. She had been burning countless amounts of energy trying to keep her body warm. Normally it required very little effort since the fire burned naturally beneath her skin but being in temperatures below freezing was new to her.

Evelyn could feel the Prince hovering behind her, keeping pace just to her left. She grew annoyed with him as the day wore on. It was as if he had something to say, but not once did he actually speak to her except for their brief conversation that morning. It’s not like she was actively avoiding him. Whether they like it or not, they’d be married in a fortnight, spending the rest of her life together. She’d have to get to know him sooner or later, but his presumptuous attitude did not sit well with her. She’d have to approach him differently then she was used to.

They wouldn’t make it to Castle Silencia till mid day tomorrow. The sun was already beginning its descent in the east, which meant, time to make camp.

Stopping at an alcove of rock, nestled against the foot of a mountain, the King raised his right arm, calling the procession line to a halt. Evelyn couldn’t help the sigh of relief that escaped through her tight lips as she struggled to keep upright on her horse. She leaned forward on her mare, hovering over her neck as she stroked the mare’s muscled neck.

“We will camp here for the night,” the King announced.

The guards in attendance immediately spread out, setting up a perimeter around the encampment that was already in full frenzy to be set up. The men dressed from head to toe in white uniforms disappeared among the frozen landscape, blending in with the fluffy white substance.

Evelyn swung her leg over the back of her horse, when she felt her grip loosen on the saddle. The sudden weightlessness made her stomach flip inside out. Her body was too weak from fatigue and muscle failure. She knew she’d be useless in helping herself. Instead, she closed her eyes, bracing for impact, but it never came.